Empowering Leaders, Scholars, and Citizens
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Jefferson Scholars Foundation administers two scholarships to attract exceptional students to UVA
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation has long attracted to the University of Virginia some of the world’s most promising leaders, scholars, and citizens. Over its 42-year history, the foundation has accomplished this most notably through the Jefferson Scholars Program. To date, more than 1,000 high school students from across the globe have been selected to receive this highly prestigious merit scholarship, which covers the full cost of attending UVA for four years of study, as well as a comprehensive enrichment program.
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In summer 2022, first-generation Walentas and Jefferson Scholars participated in a “College Pioneers” summit at the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, where they had an opportunity to explore the transition to college life.
In 2019, thanks to a $100 million commitment from longtime benefactor David Walentas (Engr ’61, Darden ’64) and his wife, Jane, the foundation announced that it soon would begin expanding its efforts by launching a new merit-based scholarship—one that would provide the same benefits as the Jefferson Scholarship but would be aimed at identifying and attracting exceptionally talented first-generation college students.
The first in his family to pursue a college degree, David Walentas made this extraordinary gift in order to empower high school graduates from Virginia, as well as from his hometown of Rochester, New York, and from New York City, where he built his career, to take the same life-altering step.
Growing up, I didn’t know anyone who had been to college, but I knew that it was a way out of poverty and a path to opportunity. Thanks to a scholarship, I was the first in my family to attend college, and my time at UVA completely changed my life.
—David Walentas (Engr ’61, Darden ’64)
"Growing up, I didn’t know anyone who had been to college, but I knew that it was a way out of poverty and a path to opportunity," Walentas said. "Thanks to a scholarship, I was the first in my family to attend college, and my time at UVA completely changed my life."
Last spring, the Walentas Scholars Program conducted its first competition, drawing in a total of 257 nominations from 13 regions across Virginia and New York. In May 2022, the foundation announced that 12 high school students were selected to join the inaugural class of Walentas Scholars. These college pioneers joined 40 Jefferson Scholarship recipients to form a record-breaking class of 52 total scholars who matriculated at the University in fall 2022 with the full support of the foundation.
Recently, the foundation concluded its second Walentas Scholarship competition. Out of the 318 nominations submitted from high schools across Maryland, Missouri, New York, and Virginia, 50 scholarship finalists emerged. Next fall, 17 students will matriculate at the University to form the second class of Walentas Scholars.
As the Walentas Scholars Program gains traction and puts UVA on the map as one of the top universities in the country for first-generation students, many of the foundation’s donors have begun to step forward, joining the Walentas family’s efforts and extending additional support.
Jimmy Wright, president of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, believes the longtime success of the Jefferson Scholars Program has instilled confidence in many benefactors, inspiring them to contribute to this newest effort.
“In some cases, our benefactors approached us, not the other way around, expressing a desire to help,” he said.
Supporting the Walentas Scholarship is a perfect fit for our family foundation, where we are committed to enhancing social mobility. The Walentas Scholarship will ensure that first-generation students, like the ones we serve, will have access to a life-changing education at the University.
—Cindy Smet (COL ’78)
The generosity of the foundation’s community will enable the expansion of the regional footprint of the Walentas Scholars Program and will attract outstanding students from five more regions—Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.
Recently, Cindy Smet (Col ’78) and her husband, John, helped launch the Los Angeles region, along with Dale Harvey (McIntire ’87), with combined commitments of $1 million.
“Supporting the Walentas Scholarship is a perfect fit for our family foundation, where we are committed to enhancing social mobility,” Cindy said.
“The Walentas Scholarship will ensure that first-generation students, like the ones we serve, will have access to a life-changing education at the University.”
“My husband, John, and I are proud to play a small part in opening these doors,” she said.
I have supported the foundation for many years and have full confidence in its ability to attract unbelievably talented kids. I am happy to help its efforts to bring the very best first-generation students to the University, where I know they can, and will, make a tremendous difference.
—Dale Harvey (McIntire ’87)
Harvey believes that UVA is the right place for talented students of all backgrounds to make a difference and feels strongly that the foundation can play an important role in attracting top first-generation talent.
“I have supported the foundation for many years and have full confidence in its ability to attract unbelievably talented kids,” Harvey said.
“I am happy to help its efforts to bring the very best first-generation students to the University, where I know they can, and will, make a tremendous difference,” he said.
Looking ahead, the Jefferson Scholars Foundation will continue to remain laser-focused on its mission to identify, attract, and nurture outstanding leaders, scholars, and citizens from across the globe, whether they make their way to UVA as Jefferson Scholars or Walentas Scholars.
“We are fortunate enough now to have two different scholarship programs that are designed to attract outstanding students,” said Wright. “Our intention is that both Jefferson and Walentas Scholars will join the UVA community and, together, will make a positive impact on the University.”